ozjohn

Fruiting bananas, are in most back yards from Sydney northwards with Coffs Harbor a major banana growing area on the north coast of NSW . There is even a tourist attraction called the big banana at Coffs. It's my daughter and grandson in the picture. On a more serious note banana growing is threatened by Panama disease with growers looking for different cultivars of banana to replace the cavendish banana that originated at Chatsworth in the UK.

And PCGS could not grade this one declaring it had been cleaned. I've looked very hard at at this coin through a X10 glass and fail to see any evidence of cleaning. There's even some mint luster around the the legend. As it didn't cost much due to the PCGS grading AU detail I'm not too unhappy but consistency is grading is a big issue

Do you get any fruit from the bananas? We are now into spring that has been cool so far but tomorrow 34 deg.C is forecast for Brisbane.

Because Will1976 posted a medal commemorating the Spon Gate. 1771

I remember visiting Spon St. in Coventry on a trip to the UK. The link gives a bit more information https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spon_Street . I also noticed there is a Wetherspoons' pub called the Spon Gate that boasts an Indian restaurant.

Any Ideas? Some times I think it's mint error. Other times I think it was intentional mutilation.

I think Australia is the only country that has kept the imperial sizes for 6d, shilling and florin coins. Australia never adopted the half crown when their coins were introduced in1910 although British half crowns and other coins circulated in Australia until the 1930s. Probably until the Australian pound was devalued to 15/- sterling in 1932 .

Like buying a coin buy the coin not the grade buy the music not the medium it’s recorded on.

Thanks. If the seller does not sell this coin he may relist at a more reasonable price. We shall see.

1915 Silver Florin, NGC MS63, Scarce | eBay The listing is a very nice coin but the price is on the heavy side especially after freight and GST charges which bring the total cost to about GBP 200. I'm tempted but for the cost. Any thoughts?

Take 2. I think the black background gives a better result.

Just a very quick try with your technique. Coin on a slope with overhead light ( LED mounted in ceiling) and camera on tripod with macro lens and sloped to suit. Seems a reasonable result will try to refine.

Obverse:Glory be to God on high and peace on earth to men of good will Reverse: To 15 Paris workers who have skillfully represented their French colleagues at the London peace congress 22,23 & 24 July 1851 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-british-studies/article/abs/richard-cobden-and-the-international-peace-congress-movement-18481853/DEADE50EA37DB5668A4BFC2921EEAAF5 An interesting medal.

Thanks for that. That's basically what I have used in the past other than the wedge shaped wooden block. I have always thought the secret is in the lighting. This is where the angled block will help. I assume you adjust the camera angle as well to ensure it is normal to the coin's surface. I will try that . Many thanks, ozjohn

Snap. Your photographic technique is much better than mine as per my recent post "Another Find in my Coin Cabinet" that featured the coin below. It was photographed with my iphone although I have a Sony mirrorless camera with a macro lens all mounted on a tripod. The results are disappointing and any tips would be welcome

I was looking at my duplicates and found this 1923 half crown although a common date a nice coin with the king's ear well struck also now an antique as it's a 100 years old.

Yes it’s a member of the pea family. It needs a sub tropical to tropical conditions to grow. I saw one at the Eden Project a few years ago.

Of interest for Blakeyboy

I was looking in my coin cabinet and noticed this 1920 halfcrown I had forgotten about. While not trying to compete with Vicky Silver's example it is still a reasonable example with the tip of the King's ear well struck and the lions faces on the reverse although there is some weakness at the top of the shield. I think some people are attracted to te1920 issues.,including myself as it represents a major change in UK coins. The marks on the reverse are not scratches but dirt.

Not Ebay's worst offering as it's a nice coin but well overpriced. https://www.ebay.com/itm/404224094893?mkevt=1&mkpid=2&emsid=e90001.m43.l1123&plmtId=700008&mesgId=3024&mkcid=8&ch=osgood&bu=43193207259&trkId=06645903-51fb-49f0-9ef0-77b0b1488673&cnvId=700003&recoId=404224094893&recoPos=1

Very nice.

Most of the coins I collect are under GBP 250 and I have found the mail service between the UK and Australia pretty secure. As long as you keep under the $AU 1000 things seem to arrive without any issues. The other week I received a coin from the UK that was opened by customs claiming biological protection . They resealed the package and sent it on its way. On ebay you see some very high freight costs sometimes more than the article in question and you have to think this is not helping E commerce.

*MINT* PF63, 1911 King George V Silver PROOF Coronation Florin / 2 Shilling, NGC | eBay The coin's not too bad but GBP 70 plus 10% GST to send it to Australia. That's why I like to buy directly from a dealer as you do not pay Australian GST up to $1000 coin value and you can negotiate on the freight.

I also contacted the seller and received a similar reply. I think its a case of someone buying the coin in good faith not realizing the possibility of it being a fake.

I looked at Ebay's complaints procedure. I think you have to find the listing from its Ebay listing # 255868114069. I am happy to contact the seller along with the Predecimal picture as evidence. I am not accusing the seller as trying to sell a fake coin as he may well be unaware of the possibility.